Point Park drops two more matches to top NAIA teams at Boneyard Brawl

GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- The Point Park University volleyball team ended its stay at the Georgetown (Ky.) Boneyard Brawl with another two losses to a pair of top NAIA teams on Saturday. The Pioneers (18-18, 8-3 KIAC) lost to No. 9 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and receiving-votes Viterbo (Wis.) both by a 3-0 score.

Point Park started Day 2 of the Boneyard Brawl in hopes of defeating a Top-10 opponent for the second straight year at the event, however, it dropped the first two sets 25-16 and 25-9 to No. 9-ranked Lindsey Wilson (30-1, 15-0 MSC).

The third set was the most competitive, however, the Pioneers fell short, 25-23. Point Park was unable to pull another NAIA Top 10 upset this year as they did in knocking off No. 5 Lee (Tenn.) at the event in 2012.

Nicole Wurstle led the Pioneers with 11 kills and a .364 attack percentage versus Lindsey Wilson. Roxanne Grundmeier chipped in six kills, five digs and two blocks while Cristiane Chaves added five kills and three blocks. Setter Cara Bradley totaled 27 assists and six digs.

In the second match of the day, Point Park faced receiving votes Viterbo (30-10, 4-0 MCC) and was swept 25-21, 25-21, 25-13.

Cristiane Chaves' eight kills led the team in this match while Bradley added 26 assists and seven digs. Nikki Inquartano contributed seven kills, and Wurstle, Olivia Fisher and Bradley had five apiece.

Point Park went 0-4 at the Boneyard Brawl but battled three NAIA Top 25 teams and one team receiving votes in the poll. The Pioneers lost to No. 23 Davenport (Mich.) and No. 13 Bellevue to open up play on Friday.

Point Park travels to Shippensburg Wednesday to wrap up the regular season. After that match, the Pioneers will be off until the KIAC Tournament No. 15-16, a 12-team tournament at Midway (Ky.) College. At 8-3 KIAC, Point Park is expected to get the No. 5 seed in the single-elimination tournament.